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News Post Leader, Thursday, October 27, 2011
Glasses mark anniversary of pit disaster n From Page 1 Glass Centre (NGC) in Sunderland, are creating a memorial glass, commissioned by the New Hartley Community Association and Blyth Valley Arts and Leisure. One of the original glass memorials now stands in the NGC’s permanent exhibition space and is being replicated by glassmakers Christine Keers and Kathryn Wightman. The pair are creating 100 glass memorial replicas in time for the commemorative concert on Saturday, January 14, at the Memorial Hall in St Michael’s Avenue, New Hartley, followed by a special service on Sunday, January 15. The glasses will be sold at each event and all proceeds will go towards the upkeep of the Hartley Pit Disaster Memorial Garden. Helen Moore, community arts development manager at Blyth Valley Arts and Leisure, said: “New Hartley Community Association is delighted to be working with NGC on this project. “Those who lost their lives are remembered each year but members of the group wanted to commission something special to mark the 150th anniversary. “The creation of the memorial glass is a fitting tribute because this is exactly what the community would have done to raise funds for the families at the time.”
Crack down on disorder POLICE in Ashington are cracking down on disorder this bonfire season. Officers will be working with Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service and visiting schools in the area to speak to youngsters about the dangers of playing with fireworks. Shopkeepers will also be advised of the laws. Anyone with details about the illegal selling or use of fireworks can call 03456 043043.
Seven-year-old raising money to get life-changing surgery
Family raise funds to get son to take his first steps By Tegan Chapman A YOUNGSTER from Northumberland is hoping the public will get behind him in raising enough money to allow him a life-changing operation. Seven-year-old Callum Brown, from Derwent Road, Seaton Sluice, was born just three weeks early, but had immediate problems with his breathing. The brave youngster spent seven days in special care where he had a bleed in his brain which had to be monitored. Callum’s mum Sharon, said: “Doctors looked at his head when he was six months old and said everything was normal, but that wasn’t the case. “We knew something wasn’t right. “When he was 18-months-old he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, which means that his legs are painful and stiff and he can’t walk on his own.” The family found out about the life-changing surgery in the US earlier this year when family friend Lily Gordon, from Monkseaton, North Tyneside,
ceiving help from the Rotary Club of Monkseaton Centenary, who will process all the donations and sponsors for gift aid as they did for Lily. Sharon added: “We know it will take us a long time to raise £50,000 but if we can do it, then it could mean Callum’s life changes for the better, forever. “It is miracle stuff, what they can do now, and we want the best for Callum. “We have raised about £1,100 so far, and we are planning a series of events, including a table at a Christmas fair. “We know it won’t be easy to raise the money, so any one who can help, it would be much appreciated.” For more information
visit www.callumswishtowalk. org.uk or visit www.justgiving.com/callumswishtowalk to donate. tegan.chapman@northeast-press.co.uk
Lost jet ski sparks missing person search A JET ski owner caused a major search after failing to report that his craft was missing at sea. Four RNLI lifeboats from Blyth, Newbiggin, Tynemouth and Cullercoats, were launched as part of a major search for a person assumed to be in the sea or washed ashore after a jet ski was found washed up on Cambois beach on Monday. The search also included an RAF rescue helicopter, landbased coastguard rescue teams from Blyth and Newbiggin, Blyth independent lifeboat and the Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade. After the search had been ongoing for almost two hours, police reported that the jet ski’s owner had been found at home in South Shields, safe and well. The search was then called off and
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underwent the selective dorsal rhizotomy surgery at the Children’s Hospital in St Louis in Missouri. The youngster’s family and friends rallied around to raise the money needed to afford the operation, and now Sharon is looking to do the same for Callum. “We are friends with Lily and her family and have watched the difference the operation has already made to her in such a short time, so we would love the same for Callum,” said Sharon. “He really struggles with everyday things and can’t do all the things he would like to. “He really wants to get his legs fixed.” It is hoped the operation will enable Callum to walk unaided for the first time in his life, but pioneering surgery doesn’t come cheap, and Sharon and husband Neil are now on a mammoth fundraising drive to get the £50,000 they need to take Callum to St Louis for the surgery. The family has set up Callum’s Wish to Walk, and is re-
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The washed up jet ski at Cambois beach. Photo: John Tuttiett. the RNLI lifeboats returned to their stations. It transpired that the rider had lost the craft at sea at South Shields the previous day but
had failed to notify anyone. A friend of the owner had heard of the search whilst listening to the radio and contacted the police.
Adrian Don, spokesman for Tynemouth RNLI lifeboat station, said if the incident had been reported, it would have saved the search effort, which potentially diverted RNLI lifeboats and other search units from genuine emergency situations. He said: “When the jet ski was found, Humber Coastguard had to assume that there was a rider in the sea in a life-threatening situation and immediately launched all of the marine search and rescue units at their disposal in the area, including the four RNLI lifeboats with a total of 16 volunteer crew members. “We would urge anyone who knows of any vessel that is drifting or abandoned at sea to report it to the coastguard, not only to prevent similar situations but also prevent the risk of collisions at sea.”
Maintenance work could cause distruption to motorists MOTORISTS are facing disruption as a £950,000 maintenance project gets underway on the A1 near Morpeth next week. The works, between Capri Lodge and Blackwood Hall, are part of plans to resurface a 6km section of the A1 between Monday, October 31, and the end of November, and will also see studs and road markings replaced. All works will be carried out at night between 8pm and 6am, and between Warreners House Junction By supplying your contact details, including e-mail address and mobile number, you agree that Johnston Press plc, publishers of the News Post Leader and its business partners may contact you about new promotions, products and service by mail, e-mail, phone, fax, SMS/MMS. Add the word
– at the northern end of Morpeth Bypass – and the Hebron staggered junction, a closure of either the northbound or southbound carriageway will be required for work to be carried out. A signed diversion route of approximately one mile via the A697 to Heighleygate and back onto the A1 at the Hebron staggered junction will be in place. The remainder of the works will be carried out via temporary traffic lights.
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For works local to junctions, individual side road closures will be required with signed diversions in place for local traffic. Highways Agency project manager Nicolas Adshead said the works were vital to the road’s upkeep. “When complete, the works will prolong the life of the carriageway and improve road safety along this section of the A1”, he said. “We ask that drivers take extra care when travelling along the diversion routes.” monitor communications. SMS service is provided by Velti DR Ltd SE1 8ND - 020 7633 5000. By submitting any contribution, you expressly grant Johnston Press Group plc a royalty-free licence to use such content in accordance with our terms and
Two teenage girls are jailed for murder
n From Page 1 walked over to where Hope was standing, near a tree, where he collapsed, the court heard. He was taken to hospital by ambulance but died very soon after his arrival. Johnson immediately regretted what she had done and made an anonymous 999 call. Both teenagers went back to Johnson’s home, however, and put their clothes in a washing machine, the court heard. Johnson had claimed during the murder trial that Mr Chapman ran into the knife as she brandished it in selfdefence. But a jury found them both guilty of murder. John Elvidge, defending Johnson, said: “There was almost immediate remorse, which was not only felt but demonstrated by the summoning of an ambulance to the scene. “She bitterly regrets her momentary actions on that day.” Paul Greeney, defending Hope, said: “She is little more than a girl. She has had a very difficult and depressing start to her life. “She used no violence at all. “She herself intended no serious injury.” Johnson, who has a number of previous convictions including battery and assault, was subject to a youth rehabilitation order and a curfew at the time of the offence. Hope, who has previous convictions, including being drunk and disorderly, common assault and destroying or damaging property, was already subject to a supervision order. Sentencing the teenagers, Judge James Goss said “The circumstances of this violent and needless loss of Christopher Chapman’s life provide a stark example of the problem of young, drunk people out of control, arming themselves with knives and going out intent on fighting.” Addressing Johnson, he added: “Fighting at night with a knife in public places when intoxicated naturally causes and in this case caused considerable public disquiet. “At the scene you clearly took the leading and most aggressive role and ignored repeated requests to go away. “You did not intend to kill, however carrying and using a knife in a violent confrontation always carries the inherent risk of fatal injury being caused, as happened here.” He said Hope had played a secondary but supportive role by going armed and encouraging Johnson. Johnson must serve a minimum of 14 and a half years and Hope at least 12 and a half years. Mr Chapman’s sister, Donna Bramley, 21, of Elborough Street, Blyth, said: “I’m over the moon to get a little bit of justice for Chappy, after everything they’ve put him and his family and friends through.”
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